What does PII refer to in security contexts?

In security contexts, PII refers to "Personally Identifiable Information." This term encompasses any data that can be used to identify a specific individual. Examples of PII include names, addresses, social security numbers, and other identifiers that, when combined or used separately, can reveal personal information about someone.

Understanding PII is critical for ensuring proper data protection and privacy measures. Organizations handling such information are typically required to implement safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse of PII due to the sensitive nature of this information. This highlights the importance of compliance with regulations such as GDPR or CCPA, which specifically address the handling of personally identifiable information.